This is a collection of my writing and correspondence with a few bits of poetry and random thoughts mixed in. I started this blog after learning that some of my letters had an uplifting quality.
In the pages of this blog you will find my real life trials and tribulations, the nature of what I think is truth, and the dust and grit of my real life.

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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

What to Do?

22nd December 2012

Dear
Cassi,

A
man called me today wanting help with his twenty year old daughter. This is not
to say that he called me but rather that he called my shelter hoping to find a
way to impress upon his child the life of less fortunate folks. He did not tell
me what sin she had committed that lead him to this idea, but I could tell he
was at his whit’s end full of anger and frustration.

“This
behavior needs to stop,” He said over and over. As a payment for this tour of
the underworld he said he would buy groceries for the program. Mind that I
start my shift at eleven in the evening and so this was the middle of the night.
Normally, and by normally I mean during the day, I would refer this man to the
donation department but the middle of the night is an inconvenient time for
them.

I
explained to this man that we can accommodate his need, but that he would need
to call back during the AM hours. I told him what kind of program we run and
what we do for the homeless. I further put forth that there were much poorer programs
with less amenities, privacy, and lower quality food.

He
then asked what he should do, and I was stunned by the request but made to
answer him as best I could. I explained to this concerned father that he needed
to take a stance of mutual respect because people you show no respect to will
never properly respect you. He should make it clear that what he wants is not
good because he wants it but because he honestly believes it is good for his
child.

I
told him he should be open to what she says and understanding. Further, I said
that he should not expect her to change overnight but only to do better.
Without knowing what she did I could only say so much.

In
this world things are hard a family mending is tricky. I know this better than
most as I have as little to do with my own family as possible. Sometimes we
need to be strong and face the ugly truth. I know I did and it was the first
real step to a better life.